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Nov 18, 11:35
Electric cars meet solar power: Mercedes' Vision Iconic shows the future of EV energy
The rise of electric vehicles may seem unstoppable, yet two obstacles continue to constrain the market: charging access and driving range. Increasingly, automakers are turning to solar photovoltaic (PV) energy as a way to supplement an EV's battery. In one of the latest examples, Mercedes-Benz has introduced an almost imperceptible thin solar coating on its Vision Iconic concept car—an ultra-slim layer that harvests sunlight without altering the vehicle's appearance.
As rack-level power consumption and cooling requirements rise in data centers, Taiwanese microcontroller (MCU) suppliers are innovating in power-supply and cooling-fan controls. Nuvoton Technology recently introduced an integrated baseboard management controller (BMC). Additionally, Holtek is upgrading server-fan solutions and expects major growth in brushless DC motor (BLDC) applications.

Taiwanese battery innovator Xing Mobility has joined forces with German automotive design powerhouse IDEENION to bring a groundbreaking immersion-cooled, cell-to-pack (CTP) battery architecture to European automakers. The partnership, formalized with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Xing's Taiwan headquarters, promises to accelerate time-to-market for high-performance and commercial electric vehicles (EVs).

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing unnamed sources, reported that Tesla is tightening restrictions on the use of China-made components in its US-produced vehicles, reflecting growing pressure on automakers to reduce exposure to China amid escalating geopolitical and trade tensions. Earlier this year, the company instructed suppliers to exclude components manufactured in China from its US production lines, according to people familiar with the matter. Some suppliers have already transitioned to alternate locations, and Tesla aims to phase out remaining China-made parts over the next one to two years.
Xpeng's flying car subsidiary ARIDGE is laying out a three-step roadmap to bring personal electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft into everyday use. The company is moving from concept videos to real orders, factory capacity, and early certification work in China and the Middle East.

DIGITIMES' latest analysis predicts that the global electric vehicle (EV) market will enter a phase of slower growth in 2026, with an annual growth rate of roughly 15.2%—down from the double-digit surges exceeding 20% seen through 2025. After a period of rapid expansion, the industry is showing signs of saturation, prompting automakers to shift their strategic focus toward advanced autonomous-driving technologies to maintain competitiveness.

Luxgen, the homegrown automotive brand under Taiwan's Yulon Motor, holds a unique place in the island's industrial history. Recent reports that Foxtron—a subsidiary of Foxconn—may acquire Luxgen have stirred significant discussion in Taiwan's automotive circles.

Taiwan-based automotive software developer AutoSys Intelligent is broadening its horizons beyond self-driving cars. Building on its core expertise in autonomous driving systems, the company plans to extend its intelligent software and system technologies to drones, robotics, and other AI-driven platforms, marking the start of a multidimensional growth strategy.

Top executives from Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics held separate high-level meetings in Seoul with Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius, who visited South Korea recently to explore deeper collaboration in next-generation automotive technologies.

Taiwan's electric vehicle market (EV) is poised for a wave of new launches in the second half of 2025, with the upcoming Luxgen N5, based on Foxtron's Model B platform, attracting the most attention. Rumors have circulated that the N5's launch schedule could be altered. In response, Luxgen's public relations team told DIGITIMES that future product plans will be officially announced at the appropriate time.
LED firm Edison Opto reported weak results for its lighting products in the third quarter of 2025, with shipments to customers in the Middle East and Europe falling short of expectations. The company posted a net loss of NT$23.11 million (US$0.74 million) for the quarter, while automotive product shipments remained stable.
SK Hynix's 8-inch wafer subsidiary, SK Key Foundry, announced plans to launch its silicon carbide (SiC) compound power semiconductor business in the first half of 2026.